Category: News

The aim is to connect retailers with technology companies and foster innovation 

The Santa Catarina Technology Association (ACATE) is launching a new vertical to bring together retailers, startups, and large technology companies focused on retail. Partnering with this initiative is Almeida Junior, the largest shopping mall company in the South of Brazil. Vertical Varejo is ACATE’s 13th business group, which aims to foster innovation through technology in different economic segments. The launch event will take place on February 19 at the ACATE – Primavera Innovation Center.

The initiative will operate in the same way as the association’s other Verticals, offering events and discussions about the sector, and already has the support of a major sponsor, Almeida Junior. For the company’s head of corporate marketing, Monique Campos, “the desire for instantaneousness and convenience, as well as changes in consumer behavior and consumption have led retailers to invest in other areas, especially technology.”

“Almeida Junior created the Experimental Innovation Center (AJ.LABS), in-house, and is now going to share experiences and encourage the technology segment to bet on new tools aimed at retail, being a sponsor of Vertical Varejo,” she adds.

 

About Vertical Varejo

The Vertical Varejo is focused on accelerating the digitalization of the sector by uniting different ends of the retail industry with technology companies. For Daniel Leipnitz, president of the Santa Catarina Technology Association, “Vertical Varejo will facilitate the identification of new retail problems that technology can solve, opening up new opportunities for companies and merchants.”

In this new economic scenario in Brazil, many companies still need to reinvent themselves in order to survive on the market. More than ever, consumers have been looking for value-added products and companies that invest in purchase experiences and efficiency in processes, and that offer the facilities of the digital universe to their customers. “Innovation is required for the sector to start growing again in the coming years, and we are sure that the Vertical Varejo will facilitate this process,” adds Leipnitz.

Christmas sales in the six ALMEIDA JUNIOR shopping malls in Santa Catarina (Neumarkt, Norte, Balneário, Garten, Continente and Nações) grew 18.8% over the same period of last year, considering the Christmas campaign period (11/27 to 12/24). The number was well above the 5.5% growth recorded by the Brazilian Association of Shopping Mall Storekeepers (Alshop) that gathers the main shopping mall retailers in Brazil.

Santa Catarina has always performed above the national retail average and presents a more consistent recovery capacity due to the positive numbers of income and employment. “This significant sales growth in our shopping malls demonstrates the improvement in the mix and the growing attractiveness of ALMEIDA JUNIOR’s six shopping malls, as well as the confidence of Santa Catarina consumers in the new cycle of economic growth in 2019,” says the CEO and founder of ALMEIDA JUNIOR, Jaimes Almeida Junior.

In fact, the State accounted for the most jobs in 2017, with a balance of almost 30,000 jobs according to CAGED. The balance of 2018 has not yet been released, but the monthly indicators show consecutive increases.

The Christmas sales of the ALMEIDA JUNIOR shopping malls surpassed even the company’s expectations, which had already been defined in a very optimistic manner. For example, the panettones form the Christmas campaign “buy and win” were over just before December 24, even with all the increase designed for the date. All 6  ALMEIDA JUNIOR shopping malls recorded double-digit growth, and the most prominent were Nações Shopping (Criciúma), Norte Shopping (Blumenau) and Garten Shopping (Joinville).

Balneário Camboriú is the pioneer city in receiving the brand’s new model of operation

On Monday, January 7, the Paris 6 restaurant chain inaugurates its latest space at Balneário Shopping Mall, in the city of Balneário Camboriú. It’s the Paris 6 Café, the newest operation model created by the brand – a café-style store that features the brand’s DNA and a menu featuring some of the famous creations by entrepreneur and Paris 6 founder, Isaac Azar, ranging from quick dishes to a selection of best-selling desserts, with options that include Grand Gateaux and cheesecakes.

With a capacity for up to 30 customers, the café will function as the initial project of this new style. “Balneário Camboriú is a modern, sophisticated city that receives tourists from all over, making it the ideal place for setting up our first store,” explains Isaac.

Paris 6 Café follows the style of the other stores in the chain, with architecture and atmosphere that hark back to 1920s Paris. On the menu, the famous Grand Gateau dessert shares space with cheesecakes, with the classic croque monsieur, as well as hot and iced coffees from the Paris 6 Gourmet Espresso line, and much more.

The launch of the Paris 6 Café is part of the chain’s expansion plans. In addition to the grand opening of new bistros, currently with 14 operating throughout Brazil, the new model will accompany the brand’s growth through franchises, with an expectation of more than 20 new locations in 2019.

About Paris 6

Paris 6 restaurant has become a benchmark for French bistro-style eateries, with a wide-ranging menu every day of the year. Founded in São Paulo in September 2006, the name comes from the 6th district of Paris, the bohemian district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where France’s first coffee house was founded in 1686. Currently, there are units in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Campinas, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Salvador, Goiânia, and São José dos Campos, totaling 14 locations in Brazil. With a charming atmosphere, always personalized with a various works of art from the shows and artistic manifestations that the bistro supports, the restaurants have become a gathering place for intellectuals and celebrities, as well as supporting theater and other expressions of art.

The person in charge of the menu is entrepreneur Isaac Azar, founding partner of Paris 6. The fare features typical dishes from Parisian bistros and brasseries, re-readings and creations of the restaurant. They are all named after a personality from television, theater, music or sports. Among the most commonly ordered items are the “Chorão” (beef medallions served with brie risotto), “Bruno Gissoni” (brie gnocchi with shrimp sauce), and “Boca Rosa” (grilled salmon fillet with shrimp sauce, served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. To top off your meal, the best suggestion is the famous Grand Gateau, a new concept of dessert created by Isaac himself. The result was a chocolate soufflé, exploring various fillings and toppings, and always served with a Paris 6 popsicle. Whoever tries it, recommends it.

About Balneário Shopping Mall

The visual and architectural concept, coupled with a mix that concentrates some of the most renowned Brazilian and international brands, have transformed Balneário Shopping Mall into a successful case in the segment. Located at the most popular beach in the South of Brazil, the mall features brands that are unprecedented in the state, and exclusive dining options that attract a select public, tuned in to the main trends around the world.

Its 43,497 square meters of GLA are divided into two levels, with wide corridors and expanded shop windows measuring 6.5 meters, an exclusive feature in Brazil that brings more comfort and elegance to the mall. Gourmet restaurants are another highlight of Balneário Shopping Mall. The location counts on operations such as Outback, Madero, Las Leñas, Pecorino, Freddo Gelateria, and Karbonell, all with exclusive service environments.